Reversible cross-tie for switches.



J. 1. R088. REVERSIBLE cnoss TIE roR SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY15. I915.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

WI/I/ WITNESSES A71 0 m-zva CIOLUMIA PLANOOMFH CO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

@FFTQE.

, UsrUs J. Ros na LOGAN, wEs'r VIRGINIA.

REVERSIBLE CROSS-TIE FOR SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

Application filed May 15, 1915. Serial No. 28,254.

To aZZ whom it m (47 concern:

Be it knownthat I,.JUsrUs J. Ross, a citizen of the United States of America,

and resident of Logan, county of Logan, and

State of WVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reversible Cross-Ties for Switches, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates broadly to railway switches, and specifically to a reversible railholding crosstie and rail clip for such switches.

The primary object of my invention is to provide, in connection with the main track rails and movable rails, or switch points, at a switch, a metallic crosstie which is so formed that it may be employed either on a right-hand or left-hand switch, said tie having associated therewith rail-holding clips which are also adapted for seating in the angle between the main track rails and the switch rails of either a right-hand or left-hand switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is of extremelysimple construction and which is particularly designed for use in mines and other places in which light rails are employed.

l Vith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the features of construction, arrangement of parts and combinations of elements which will hereinafter be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of the invention applied to a left-hand switch; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the clip shown at the left side of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the same; Fig. 4 is an end view of the opposite clip; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same; Figs. 6 and 7 are inner side elevations of the clips shown in Figs. 2 and 5, respectively; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a portion of a railway track at a switch embodying my invention; and Fig. 9-is a section on line 99, Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawings, in which like designating characters distinguish like parts throughout the several views-1 indicates a main track-rail at the outer side of a switch, and 2 a main track-rail at the inner side of the switch, said rail 2 abutting the usual movable switch-point 3. The opposite movable switch-point 4c abuts the outer switch rail 5. The main track-rail 6 at the inner side of the switch curves outward from a point adjacent to the free end of the switch point 3v and thence becomes a portion of the inner switch-rail, designated 7.

Underlying the main track-rails 1 and 2 and the ends of the switch-rails 5 and 7 is my improved crosstie 8, the same being formed of metal and having that end there of which is disposed at the outer side of the switch bent upward and back to constitute a hook 9 between which and the outer face of the web of track-rail 1 is inserted a wooden key 10 whereby said rail is maintained against outward lateral movement. The opposite end of said tie 8 is split or divided longitudinally, as shown at 11, to form two separate tongues which are bent upward and back to constitute hooks 12 and 13 which are disposed at a predetermined obtuse angle to each other. One of said hooks, as 12, is disposed parallel to the inner switch-rail 7 and is designed to have a wooden key 14 driven between it and the adjacent face of the web of said inner switchrail whereby outward lateral movement of the latter is prevented.

That end of the switch-point 3 which abuts the track rail 2 rests upon the crosstie 8 and is connected by a through-bolt 15 to said track-rail through the intermediacy of an angle-bar 16 and the upright portion 17 of a metal clip 17 which are rigidly secured, as by a bolt 18, to said traclcr-ail. Said bolt 15 is loosely fitted to permit of swinging movement of the switch-point 3 thereon, as on a pivot, to and from a switch closing position. In like manner, the butt-end of switch-point 4 rests upon the crosstie 8 and is connected by a bolt 19 to the outer switchrail 5 through the intermediacy of an anglebar 20 and the upright portion 21 of a metal clip 21 which are rigidly secured, as by a bolt 22, to said switch-rail. The switchpoint 5 also has pivotal-like connection with said bar 20 and clip 21, being-loosely fitted on bolt 19.

The clip 17 which is secured by bolts or rivets 23 to the crosstie 8 between the switch-rail 7 and the joint constituted at the meeting ends of track-rail 2 and switchpoint 3, comprises, in addition to said upright portion 17*, a body of more or less flat form, which i shaped on its under side to constitute an inclined face 17 b for resting upon the bases of track-rail 2 and switchpoint 3, a flat face 17 for resting upon the crosstie, and an inclined face 17 for resting upon the base of switch-rail 7 That edge of the body of said clip which lies adjacent to said switch-rail is angular in form, a portion 17 thereof lying directly parallel to said switch-rail and another portion 1'7 lying at a predetermined angle thereto.

The clip 21 is pivotally attached, as by a centrally disposed bolt or rivet 24, to the crosstie at a point between the track-rail 1 and the joint constituted at the meeting ends of switch-rail 5 and switch-point 4. Said clip is shaped somewhat similar to clip 17, having on its under side an inclined face 21 for resting upon the bases of switchrail 5 and switch-point 4, a flat face 21 for resting upon the crosstie, and an inclined face 21 for resting upon the base of trackrail 1. The outer edge of said clip is shaped similar to that of the corresponding edge of clip 17, one portion 21 lying parallel to track-rail 1 and the other portion 21*- lying at a predetermined angle thereto.

As shown in the drawings, the invention is applied to a left-hand switch, or turnout. When applied to a right-hand turnout, the crosstie has simply to be reversed end for end with said clips 17 and 21 fixed thereto as described. In its reversed position the tie will have the hook 13 thereof lying parallel to the inner switch-rail in position for receiving a key for wedgingly maintaining said rail against outward lateral movement. Further, the clip 17 will have the portion 17 of its angular edge disposed parallel to said inner switch-rail; and the clip 21 will have the portion 21 of its angular edge disposed parallel to the outer main track-rail.

As is obvious, the predetermined angles of the hooks 12 and 13 with respect to each other, of the edge portions 17 and 17 with respect to each other, and of the edge portions 21 and 21 with respect to each other, are identical, said angles being such as to adapt said parts for application to both right-hand and left-hand turnouts.

What is claimed is-- 1. A reversible crosstie of the character described, comprising a metallicbody having one end bent upward and back to form a hook and having its opposite end divided to form tongues which are bent upward and G'opies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the back to constitute hooks which are disposed at a predetermined angle to each other.

2. A reversible crosstie of the character described, comprising a metallic body having one end bent upward and back to form a hook and having its opposite end divided to form tongues which are bent upward and back to constitute hooks which are disposed at a predetermined angle to each other, and clips mounted on said body adjacent to said ends, each of said clips being adapted *to fit in the angle between a switch-point and an adjacent rail, and each of said clips having angular edges the portions of which are disposed at a predetermined angle.

3. A reversible crosstie of the character described, comprising a metallic body having one end bent upward and back to form a hook and having its opposite end divided to form tongues which are bent upward and back to constitute hooks which are disposed at a predetermined angle to each other, and clips mounted on said body adjacent to aid ends, each of said clips being adapted to fit in the angle between a switch-point and an adjacent rail, each of said clips having a rail-abutting portion and having the edge thereof opposite to said portion inclined in opposite directions and forming a predetermined. angle. i

4. A reversible crosstie of the character described, comprising a metallic body having one end bent upward and back to form a hook and having its opposite end divided to form tongue which are bent upward and back to constitute hooks which are disposed at a predetermined angle to each other, and clips mounted on said body adjacent to said ends, each of said clips being adapted to fit in the angle between a switch-point and an adjacent rail, each of said clips having a rail-abutting portion and having the edge thereof opposite to said portion inclined in opposite directions and forming a predetermined angle, the angular relation of the angularly disposed hooks and of the inclined portions of the edges of the clips being such as to adapt the tie for use either on arighthand or left-hand turnout.

' In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JUSTUS J. ROSS.

. 'Witnesses:

B. L. FLYNN, W. G. LAWRENCE, Jr.

Commissioner of ratents,

Washington, D. G. 

